​​In criminal cases, a District Court can try offences where the maximum
imprisonment term does not exceed 10 years or are punishable with a fine
only.

The District Court can pass any of the following sentences:

imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years

fine not exceeding $30,000

up to 12 strokes of the cane

any lawful sentence combining any of the
sentences which it is authorised by law to pass

However, where the law expressly provides for it, the District Court also has
the jurisdiction to try offences and impose sentences which exceeds the above
limits such as the Companies Act (Cap 50), Misuse of Drugs Act (Cap 185),
Prevention of Corruption Act(Cap 241) and Securities Industry Act (Cap 289).